In 2011, the American Petroleum Institute hired FleishmanHillard to work on their Energy from Shale project, a pro-fracking campaign with, at the time, unclear backing. The “supporting organizations” page on their archived website shows API’s logo, but mixes it in with many other oil and gas companies and trade associations, making it unclear how these entities support Energy from Shale. Since being hired by API in 2011, FH has received a total $96.6 million from the trade association. FH did not appear as a contractor on API’s 2017 990 tax form, suggesting that API ended their contract with the firm.

2018 Climate Survey Response

FleishmanHillard responded to our 2018 climate survey by deferring to their parent company Omnicom’s 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report. The Omnicom report does not detail any of their policies on whether they accept clients with anti-environmental agendas or clients that promote climate change denial.

We reached out to Omnicom directly and they responded on behalf of all of their subsidiaries:

2014 Climate Survey Response

Did not respond.

Clients and Campaigns

American Petroleum Institute (2011-2015) – FleishmanHillard was paid $4 million in 2011, $22.8 million in 2012 and $23.9 million in 2013 according to API’s 990 forms filed with the IRS. Ad Age on launch of fracking campaign in 2011.